Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. See our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.

Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. See our Privacy Policy and User Agreement for details.

MEGA - The Codru Quest - Final Report (ENG)

1.
PLAYING FOR IMPACT

2.
Implementing Organization
Moldovan Environmental Governance
Academy (MEGA):
Social entrepreneurial organization focused
on delivering services of gamification with
environmental and social value.
MEGA Game: The Game with Impact:
The core product of MEGA; a web platform
with elements of gamification that connects
individuals with Green Tech companies &
environmental organizations.

3.
Problem Addressed
Problem:
Degradation of the Codru forest and other
forest ecosystems in the Republic of
Moldova and their biodiversity.
Targeted cause:
Lack of awareness about indirect use and
non-use values of forest ecosystems for
society and their undervaluation in land
use planning and policy making.
Remaining forest cover in Moldova (~11%) ->

8.
Goal and Objectives
Goal:
Estimate and present the indirect use and non-use economic values of
ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation in the Codru Nature Reserve
and the Codru forest in the Republic of Moldova.
Objectives:
1. Estimate economic valuation
data for ecosystem services
2. Prepare and present the
results to key stakeholders
3. Organize educational and
nature conservation activities

9.
Methodology
Stated preference (SP) methodology:
• Based on interviews and surveys
• Asks respondents for willingness to
pay for environmental good / service
• Can elicit non-use values of
ecosystem services
Choice modelling (CM) technique:
• One of the SP methods
• Offers respondents to choose the
most preferred alternative scenario
or status quo with changing
characteristics of the good / service
Example of a choice set from the CM survey
offered to respondents

11.
Surveying Methods
Gamification:
• Concept of applying game design
and mechanics to a non-game
context
• Aimed to increase motivation,
engagement, and contribution of the
target audience to a certain cause
Gamification in surveying:
• Lottery with virtual currency and web
shop
• On-line gamification as a quest with
missions in MEGA Game
Screenshot from the MEGA Game platform
showing the Codru Quest missions

13.
Challenges and Constraints
Very small sample size and
surveying challenges
Data analysis issues and lack of
benefit transfer equation
Time constraint of only
10 months
Budget limitation of only
8 000 EUR

16.
Respondents’ Use of the Forest
Average distance to the Codru forest:
• 1 – 5 km
Average frequency of visits:
• 1 – 5 visits per person per year
Average duration of a visit:
• 2 – 3 hours
Main uses of the Codru forest:
• Recreation (walking, picnics)
• Collection of non-timber products

22.
Reasons for Willingness-to-pay
Bequest value:
preservation of nature for future generations
Loss aversion:
preservation of endangered species
Existence value:
pleasure of knowing that the forest exists
Use values:
personal use of the forest for recreation

23.
Recommendations
Local communities and
citizens concerned about
the Codru forest
Administration of the Codru
Nature Reserve and other
protected areas in Moldova
• Use the results to raise awareness
and claim participation in decision-
making regarding the forest
• Account for values of ecosystem
services in forest management
plans
• Work together with local
communities and frequent visitors
• Use WTP values to establish
payment for ecosystem services
scheme

24.
Recommendations
Environmental
organizations (NGOs)
Ministry of Environment
and policy makers
• Include values of ecosystem
services into raising awareness and
educational initiatives
• Approach and collaborate with local
communities in tree planting and
nature conservation activities
• Use WTP values as objective
economic input to decision- and
policy-making
• Consider attitudes and preferences
of citizens and local communities in
nature conservation